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After watching the special screening of John Abraham-starrer Bollywood movie, Madras Cafe in Chennai, volunteers of pro-Tamil outfits denounced the film as 'anti-Tamil' and vowed to not allow its screening in India.

Even as promos of the film started flooding the media early this month, pro-Tamil outfits like the Naam Tamizhar Katchi (NTK) besides Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) alleged that the film was anti-Tamil.

While PMK chief Ramadoss wanted the state and central governments to ban the movie, others were warned of agitations. Actor-turned-politician Seeman led NTK alleged that the movie portrayed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its leader V Prabhakaran in bad light.

Although John Abraham later denied labelling anyone or group as terrorist in the film, it failed to cut ice with the groups. Subsequently, the producers came forward to arrange a special screening for those who had apprehensions about it.

After watching Madras Cafe, on August 18, in Chennai, Seeman said, "The aim of the movie is to portray Prabhakaran as a villain. We cannot accept the movie in any form. The heart of the film is anti-Tamil."

He has urged the film exhibitors not to screen the film. Tamil film director RK Selvamani said the film featured Malayalis as patriotic persons attempting to save a former Prime Minister.(Inputs from PTI)

Continue reading the story on slides...

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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Tamil Director RK Selvamani Said

Everyone shown as good is a Malayali and almost all Tamils are characterised as villains.

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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Madras Cafe Plot

Sources in the Tamil film industry said the movie's plot was the killing of Rajiv Gandhi and the events that culminated in his assassination.

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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Complaint On Madras Cafe

In July pro-Tamil activists filed a complaint to the city police seeking to ban the movie Madras Cafe, on the ground that it portrayed the LTTE in bad light.

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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John Abraham's Role

Madras Cafe is set in the late 80s and early 90s in India and Sri Lanka and shows military operations against a rebel group in the island, in which Abraham acts as an intelligence agent.

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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John Abraham Defended

During the Madras Cafe promotional event in Chennai, actor John Abraham had maintained that the film had not taken sides.

Madras Cafe Is Anti-Tamil Movie: Pro-Tamil Outfits

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Madras Cafe Cast

Madras Cafe has John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri in the lead roles. The flick is directed by Shoojit Sircar.